Coach Leon Cameron has given his young players a chance to push for round one spots after naming his side to face the Western Bulldogs in the first NAB Challenge match at Manuka Oval on Thursday.
Three draftees could get their first taste of AFL action, along with three other GIANTS yet to play a senior game, while a mature recruit will debut in the orange and charcoal.
Cameron has named a squad of 29 for Thursday night’s game under lights, which will be trimmed to 26 on the day.
Last year’s number seven draft pick Jacob Hopper, number 13 pick Matthew Kennedy and number 16 pick Harrison Himmelberg have all been named in the squad, along with ruck recruit Dawson Simpson.
Second-year GIANTS Jarrod Pickett, Pat McKenna and Jeremy Finlayson could all taste some game time while rookie and former Development Coach Sam Reid has also been named.
GIANTS fans will have to wait another week to see Steve Johnson line up for his new club with the three-time premiership forward left out of the squad alongside Callan Ward, Heath Shaw, Shane Mumford and Ryan Griffen.
Coach Leon Cameron said he’s looking forward to the likes of Josh Kelly, Jack Steele, Lachie Whitfield and Stephen Coniglio spending plenty of time in the midfield.
“The NAB Challenge is a great chance for the entire playing group to prepare for round one,” coach Leon Cameron said.
“It’s exciting that some of our draftees could see some AFL action along with some of our younger players taking on extra responsibility.
“It’s been a really positive pre-season and we can’t wait to be in front of our home crowd in Canberra and get back into the swing of things.”
Phil Davis has been named, along with Tom Scully who missed the end of 2015 with a shoulder injury. After starring in last week’s intra-club match, forward Jonny Patton is a confirmed starter.
The GIANTS take on the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night at Manuka Oval in Canberra and GIANTS members get free general admission entry by scanning their 2016 member cards at the gate.
The GIANTS will then take on the Swans at Drummoyne Oval on March 4 and the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 13 before beginning the 2016 season with a trip to face the Melbourne Demons on March 26.
GWS GIANTS v Western Bulldogs
Thursday, February 25
7.10pm
Manuka Oval, Canberra
Squad
1 - Phil Davis
2 - Jacob Hopper
3 - Stephen Coniglio
5 - Dylan Shiel
6 - Lachie Whitfield
7 - Rhys Palmer
9 - Tom Scully
11 - Jack Steele
12 - Jonathon Patton
14 - Jarrod Pickett
15 - Matthew Kennedy
16 - Nathan Wilson
20 - Adam Tomlinson
21 - Matt Buntine
22 - Josh Kelly
24 - Joel Patfull
26 - Dawson Simpson
27 - Harrison Himmelberg
28 - Jake Barrett
29 - Zac Williams
31 - Jeremy Finlayson
33 - Will Hoskin-Elliott
34 - Caleb Marchbank
35 - Aidan Corr
36 - James Stewart
37 - Rory Lobb
40 - Adam Kennedy
42 - Pat McKenna
50 - Sam Reid
